| :: San Diego
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Attraction >Zoo/Aquarium
| San Diego Zoo |
Address:
2920 Zoo Dr
| San Diego | 92112-0551
Region:
San Diego
Rating:
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More Info
Phone: (619) 718-3000
FAX:
Website
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Description and Basic Information ::
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 Located at Balboa Park in downtown San Diego, the world-renowned San Diego Zoo is home to 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies. The Zoo is also an accredited botanical garden with approximately 6,500 species of exotic plants.
It’s easy to see why the San Diego Zoo has garnered so much attention. Spread over 100 acres, the Zoo is home to some of the most unique animals on the planet. Some of these living treasures include the largest koala colony outside of Australia, Komodo dragons from Indonesia, giant pandas, Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos from New Guinea, clouded leopards from Vietnam, and many other rare specimens. Other animals include lions, tigers, polar bears, birds, rhinos, elephants, giraffes and gorillas. Horticulture highlights include, orchids, cycads, fig trees, palms, acacias and coral trees.
In addition to the numerous exotic plants and animals, the San Diego Zoo plays host to a variety of special events. The Orchid Odyssey is open to the public the third Friday of each month, featuring orchids from Papua New Guinea, Central and South America and China. The Spring Fling Garden Celebration features self-guided botanical tours, special displays, floral activities, composting demonstrations, kids crafts and more. The Rendezvous in the Zoo (RITZ) is a black-tie/jungle elegance gala featuring dining and dancing under the stars as well as an auction and encounters with exotic animals and entertainment.
Nighttime Zoo offers a view of the Zoo under moonlight and mood lights so visitors can observe some of the nocturnal inhabitants of the Zoo. The annual White Elephant Sale offers savings on T-shirts, toys, books, jewelry and more. These are just some of the events featured at the Zoo; simply call (619/ 234-3153) to get more details.
Opened in December 1999, the new Rainforest Aviary is one of the world’s largest walk-through avian encounters. Guests journey through a dense, Southeast Asian jungle, filled with sights and sounds of more than 50 species of exotic and endangered birds in an environment of waterfalls and tropical plants.
The easiest way to get an overview of the San Diego Zoo is via the 35-minute, open-air guided bus tour down the canyons and up the mesas. Informative and entertaining drivers point out all the interesting facts about the animals and plants as you slowly pass them. Visitors can also hop on the Kangaroo bus tour, which follows the aforementioned tours, but allows visitors to get off and on all day at eight different stops. Buses leave the Zoo station just beyond the front entrance every five to ten minutes. A variety of multilingual audio and walking tours are also available.
The Skyfari Aerial Tramway offers passengers a different perspective of the Zoo. The third-of-a-mile ride across the treetops commences near the Reptile House and stretches across the Zoo to Horn and Hoof Mesa. Cruising at about 180-feet above ground, the Skyfari also provides Zoo-goers with a nice view of Balboa Park, downtown San Diego and the Harbor.
Another highlight of the Zoo is the Children’s Zoo, made up of open-moated enclosures, walk-through bird aviaries, two baby animal nurseries and a petting paddock where children can meet and pet friendly sheep, goats and pot-bellied pigs. In addition to numerous exhibitions and shows performed for the kids, children can also visit a variety of baby animals that have been abandoned by their mothers and are now cared for by the nursery keepers.
Hours: Open daily: 9am to 4pm from Jan 1 – June 22; 9am to 9pm from June 23 – Sept. 3; 9am to 4pm from Sept 4 – Dec 31.
Admission: Adults pay $18; ages 3-11 pay $8; ages 2 and younger pay nothing. Free parking on premises.
Information: (619) 234-3153 or (619) 231-1515; Giant Panda Hotline: 1-888-MY PANDA. |
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:: San Diego :: |
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